KQRadio Boys Basketball All-Area Teams and Awards

March 14, 2023 Quinn Douglas Featured, Local Sports 0

The 2022-23 Iowa High School Basketball season was a successful one for many KQ-area schools, which was emphasized by the Roland-Story Norsemen’s return trip to the state tournament.

Even if the teams didn’t see group success, individuals stood out from top to bottom throughout the area.

Awards

Player of the Year: Jonovan Wilkinson, Jr. (Roland-Story)

Stats – 16.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.2 SPG, 47.7% FG, 33.9% 3PT, 65.9% FT

Wilkinson showed that he was the conductor of well-oiled Norsemen machine in 2022-23, leading Roland-Story in assists. He also showed his scoring prowess by averaging over 16 PPG, including a season-high 29 points against PCM on February 3rd, as well as having a nose for the glass, averaging nearly 7 rebounds per game.

Defensive Player of the Year: Luke Patton, Sr. (Roland-Story)

Stats – 10.6 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 49.8% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 56.4% FT

The Defensive Player of the Year stays in Norsemen country, as Patton followed up his stellar junior season by becoming one of the state’s top rebounders in all-classes, averaging over 13 per night. Patton also averaged over a steal and a block per contest, and showcased his dominance inside with 25-point, 22-rebound performance in Roland-Story’s quarterfinal win over Carroll Kuemper in the State Tournament.

6th Man of the Year: Ryland Ubben, Jr. (South Hamilton)

Stats – 10.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 48.6% FG, 35% 3PT, 62.5% FT

Ubben excelled with the change in philosophy as Matt Juber’s squad went to a more tempo-based offense, while using line change substitutions commonly. Ubben normally spearheaded the 2nd unit, and become the Hawks leading scorer from the bench (10.4 PPG). His ability to score at all three-levels made him a tough assignment for the opposition night-in and night-out.

Coach of the Year: Darrin Berggren (Roland-Story)

Record – 25-2 overall, HOIAC Champions, 2A-3 Substate Champion, Class 2A Semifinalist

Berggren navigated his most successful team yet in Story City, as his Norsemen broke a school record in wins (25), won the HOIAC for the 3rd year in a row, advanced to their 2nd consecutive state tournament and won the school’s first state tournament game in over 45 years.

First-Team

Guard – Jonovan Wilkinson, Jr. (Roland-Story)

  • See Player of the Year

Guard – Isaiah Naylor, Sr. (Roland-Story)

  • 17.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.9 SPG, 40.1% FG, 32.3% 3PT, 67.2% FT

Guard – Jamie Grossoehme, Sr. (Webster City)

  • 16.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1 BPG, 42.5% FG, 36.6% 3PT, 63% FT

Forward – Drake Canavan, Jr. (Eagle Grove)

  • 16.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 44.9% FG, 36.9% 3PT, 70.3% FT

Forward – Luke Patton, Sr. (Roland-Story)

  • See Defensive Player of the Year

Patton and Wilkinson have their cases listed above, as Isaiah Naylor made up the other half of Roland-Story’s dynamic guard duo, and was a threat to score anywhere inside half court, and could score in bunches as well.

Jamie Grossoehme emerged as one of the top players in the NCC this season for Webster City, and became a dominant two-way player for the Lynx in Brett Ratcliff’s first-season. Drake Canavan also emerged as a star in the Top of Iowa West for Eagle Grove this season, with his junior year culminating in a 30-point performance against East Sac County, including 8 three-pointers.

Second-Team

Guard – Ty McKinney, Sr. (Webster City)

  • 13.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 44% FG, 28.2% 3PT, 67.1% FT

Guard – Carson Nesheim, Jr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

  • 14 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.9 SPG, 32.1% FG, 27.2% 3PT, 77.4% FT

Guard – Jaxon Morris, So. (Eagle Grove)

  • 14.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.4 SPG, 39.7% FG, 33.6% 3PT, 70.3% FT

Forward – Ryland Ubben, Jr. (South Hamilton)

  • See 6th Man of the Year

Forward – Briar Klaver, Jr. (Webster City)

  • 14.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 57.5% FG, 39.1% 3PT, 59.4% FT

Webster City senior Ty McKinney had a postseason run that nearly earned him first-team all-area honors, but his season is good enough to headline the second-team. CGD junior Carson Nesheim was a bright spot in a rebuilding year for the Cowboys, leading CGD in points and assists.

Eagle Grove sophomore Jaxon Morris gets the nod in a tough decision over his brother, Jordan. Jaxon averaged over 14 PPG and paired a high-level scoring ability with quick hands on the defensive end. Webster City junior Briar Klaver gets the nod at the 2nd forward spot, providing a steady hand in the post for the Lynx this season.

Honorable Mention

Reece Ricke, Jr. (South Hamilton)

Ben Greenfield, Sr. (Roland-Story)

Teegan Trask, Sr. (South Hamilton)

Nevan Foss, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

Jordan Morris, Sr. (Eagle Grove)